Abstract: A device and methods for either protecting or restoring the delicate surface chemistry of amine-coated substrates adapted for biological assay uses from the deleterious effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and/or organic chemical compounds, which may arise in packaging or storage containers is provided. The device encompasses an enclosure, preferably hermetically sealed, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO2 and having a high-surface energy of ?100 milli-joules/m2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: A ceramic composition including a silsesquioxane polymer as a sintering agent in an amount of no more than 30% by weight. The composition is particularly useful as a ceramic cement for forming an external skin on a cordierite honeycomb substrate when the composition is composed of ground cordierite and polyaminopropylsilsesquioxane. A method of preparing the composition is also provided.

Abstract: A device and methods for either protecting or restoring the delicate surface chemistry of amine-coated substrates adapted for biological assay uses from the deleterious effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and/or organic chemical compounds, which may arise in packaging or storage containers is provided. The device encompasses an enclosure, preferably hermetically sealed, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO2 and having a high-surface energy of ?100 milli-joules/m2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transfer and distribution, notably in a biological or chemical analysis, of a small amount of liquid. The invention relates notably to a method which consists of providing a transfer tool (18) having at least one rod (10) whose lower surface (12) of pre-determined cross section is wettable and of which at least one side surface (14) is non-wettable; immersing the rod (10) into a reservoir containing a liquid, for a pre-determined period of time and at a pre-determined depth; removing the rod (10) from the reservoir so that a liquid drop is retained on the lower surface (12) of the rod (10); positioning the rod (10) over a receptor medium; and placing the drop in contact with a surface of a receptor medium. The invention also relates to the transfer tool (18) which has in its structure at least one rod (10) and to a method for making the transfer tool (18).

Abstract: A protective coating which imparts non-stick and abrasion resistant properties, as well as hydrophobic properties to an inorganic article, the coating being the composition product between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the inorganic article and a composition comprising a silane, a metal alkoxide and an acidified aqueous mixture of a lower alkanol. The silane content is at least 50% of the total sum of the silane plus the metal alkoxide. The metal alkoxide is at least 5% and preferably 10% of the total sum of the silane plus the metal alkoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transfer and distribution, notably in a biological or chemical analysis, of a small amount of liquid. The invention relates notably to a method which consists of providing a transfer tool (18) having at least one rod (10) whose lower surface (12) of pre-determined cross section is wettable and of which at least one side surface (14) is non-wettable; immersing the rod (10) into a reservoir containing a liquid, for a pre-determined period of time and at a pre-determined depth; removing the rod (10) from the reservoir so that a liquid drop is retained on the lower surface (12) of the rod (10); positioning the rod (10) over a receptor medium; and placing the drop in contact with a surface of a receptor medium. The invention also relates to the transfer tool (18) which has in its structure at least one rod (10) and to a method for making the transfer tool (18).

Abstract: A material system and method for imparting non-stick and non-wetting properties to an inorganic article having hydroxyl groups on its surface, the system comprising a silane having the formula R.sub.n SiX.sub.4-n, wherein n is 1-2 and X is a hydrolyzable group, a colloidal metal oxide sol, and an acidified aqueous mixture with a lower alkanol.